"Candiru (English and Portuguese) or candirú (Spanish), also known as canero or toothpick fish, are a number of genera of parasitic freshwater catfish in the family Trichomycteridae; all are native to the Amazon River. Although some candiru species have been known to grow to a size of 6 inches (~15 cm) in length, others are considerably smaller. These smaller species are known for an alleged tendency to invade and parasitize the human urethra; however, despite ethnological reports dating back to the late 19th century,[1] the first documented case of a candiru parasitizing a human did not occur until 1997.
The definition of candiru differs between authors. The word has been used to refer to only Vandellia cirrhosa, the entire genus Vandellia, the subfamily Vandelliinae, or even the two subfamilies Vandelliinae and Stegophilinae.[2][3][4][5]"
Title: Re: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water . . . .
Post by: Big Frank on December 13, 2009, 07:01:48 PM
I heard that if you get one of those fish in your pee hole it won't come out. If you're a man they can amputate to save your life but if you're a woman you're out of luck. I don't know. It sounds fishy to me. :)
Title: Re: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water . . . .
Post by: Dakotaranger on December 13, 2009, 07:08:16 PM
I think we're going to need a bigger boat :D :D
Title: Re: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water . . . .
Post by: twyacht on December 13, 2009, 07:13:57 PM
Heard of this some years ago, that guides tell guests, NOT to pee in the rivers and even wear condoms. Women have tougher time of things.
Also any open sores, cuts, and scrapes, can be totally contaminated to the point of gangrene by being in the water in these areas.
Not just by "leelte" fish, but by the bacterial abundance in the water.
I thought going to Vegas during convention month, with the prostitutes around was dangerous,.... :-X
Title: Re: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water . . . .
Post by: PegLeg45 on December 13, 2009, 10:13:02 PM
Body condoms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YFC0O393DQ
Title: Re: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water . . . .
Post by: crusader rabbit on December 14, 2009, 06:41:56 AM
My Dad was raised along the Amazon in Ecuador by missionary parents. He told me about this fish some 50 years ago. According to him, the fish has an instinctual need to rapidly swim into warmer water. When one relieves his bladder in the water, the little fishy swims rapidly upstream--sometimes directly up the urethra. Of course, if one is wearing swim trunks, a barrier exists. Because of the structure of the little fishy's whiskers, they fold back when it is swimming into tight spaces. And, because there is no place to make a turn in the tight confines of the ureter, its little whiskers imbed when it is pushed back toward the opening. According to Dad, if you went directly to the doc with the problem, he could split the pipe open, remove the fish, and crefully stitch you closed. However, remember that you are on the Amazon and the nearest doc might be three-days-away, by which time the fishy has started to rot, you haven't been able to pass urine, and the prognosis is usually death by massive infection unless the offending appendage is cut off sometime around the end of day one.
It was enough to convince me to hold it until I got out of any water I was in. I'm over 60 now, and it still gives me the heebeejeebees just to think about that dang little fish.
Title: Re: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water . . . .
Post by: philw on December 14, 2009, 07:07:04 AM
It was enough to convince me to hold it until I got out of any water I was in. I'm over 60 now, and it still gives me the heebeejeebees just to think about that dang little fish.
not wrong I heard about this one a few years ago
with all the crap we have here that tries to kill us this one still would worry me as much